Joseph’s brothers reject his dreams but God uses their hatred to accomplish His plan for deliverance.
Joseph, believed to be born around 1916 B.C. as the eleventh son of Jacob in the land of Canaan, had just shared his prophetic dreams with his family when Scripture states, “Then his brothers said to him, ‘Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?’ So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” (v.8). Here, the brothers’ response reveals deep sibling rivalry and resentment. Joseph had already been favored by their father Jacob, which increased the tension. Hearing that Joseph might someday govern over them only fanned the flames of jealousy.
The phrase “So they hated him even more” underscores how these dreams fostered greater hostility rather than humble introspection. Their question, “Are you actually going to reign over us?” echoes the disbelief that a younger brother could obtain such authority. Though they despised him for it, Joseph’s dreams foreshadowed his eventual role as a powerful official in Egypt, preserving many lives during a devastating famine (Genesis 41). Joseph’s life also foreshadows the Messiah as a Suffering Servant, since both Joseph and Jesus were beloved sons, betrayed by those close to them, and ultimately instrumental in bringing salvation (Joseph for Egypt and his family, Jesus for all who believe).
In the broader narrative, these events demonstrate how God sovereignly works through human conflict to fulfill His plans. Joseph’s exaltation above his brothers was God’s design to provide rescue in a time of crisis, and it models the humble path of suffering leading to a higher purpose (Philippians 2:7-9). In the New Testament, John the Apostle observes that Jesus “came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). In Genesis, Joseph likewise met with scorn from those closest to him but would later reconcile with his brothers and preserve the family line that would eventually produce the Messiah.
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Genesis 37:8 meaning
Joseph, believed to be born around 1916 B.C. as the eleventh son of Jacob in the land of Canaan, had just shared his prophetic dreams with his family when Scripture states, “Then his brothers said to him, ‘Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?’ So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” (v.8). Here, the brothers’ response reveals deep sibling rivalry and resentment. Joseph had already been favored by their father Jacob, which increased the tension. Hearing that Joseph might someday govern over them only fanned the flames of jealousy.
The phrase “So they hated him even more” underscores how these dreams fostered greater hostility rather than humble introspection. Their question, “Are you actually going to reign over us?” echoes the disbelief that a younger brother could obtain such authority. Though they despised him for it, Joseph’s dreams foreshadowed his eventual role as a powerful official in Egypt, preserving many lives during a devastating famine (Genesis 41). Joseph’s life also foreshadows the Messiah as a Suffering Servant, since both Joseph and Jesus were beloved sons, betrayed by those close to them, and ultimately instrumental in bringing salvation (Joseph for Egypt and his family, Jesus for all who believe).
In the broader narrative, these events demonstrate how God sovereignly works through human conflict to fulfill His plans. Joseph’s exaltation above his brothers was God’s design to provide rescue in a time of crisis, and it models the humble path of suffering leading to a higher purpose (Philippians 2:7-9). In the New Testament, John the Apostle observes that Jesus “came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). In Genesis, Joseph likewise met with scorn from those closest to him but would later reconcile with his brothers and preserve the family line that would eventually produce the Messiah.